Roof Rat Life Cycle

Life expectancy for rats is about two to three years.

Roof rat life cycle.

Peak breeding season for the roof rat typically occur in spring and fall. The rodents reach sexual maturity in about five weeks and begin mating soon after to produce the next generation to start the rat life cycle over again. Rat life cycle only the life cycle of the roof rat rattus rattus is discussed on this page since this is the only rat that is common here in central florida. The roof rat life cycle.

In the life cycle of a rat it produces around seven offspring at a time. During the menopause process the reproduction cycle of a female rat becomes more irregular. Life cycle roof rat females breed when they are about three months old. Roof rats are also referred to as black rats or ship rats.

The roof rat gets its name from its tendency to find shelter in the upper parts of buildings. Breeding during this period causes the size of her litters to be smaller than average. A female roof rat lays 3 4 litters per year. Despite having some different habits the rat life cycle for both species is similar.

Rats are social animals. Roof rats often enter buildings at the roofline so be sure that all access points in the roof are sealed. Babies roof rats are born in litters of 4 8 pups which are small pink blind and confined to the nest. Roof rats are born in a nest in a litter of 6 8 young.

A female rat has a gestation period of three weeks and they can have five litters or so in a single year. A female rat reaches her menopause after 18 months. The dominant male will prevent other males from mating with his group of females and watches out for the family. Newborn rats may reach independence and reproductive maturity at about 3 months.

If roof rats are traveling on overhead utility wires contact a pest control professional or the utility company for information and assistance with measures that can be taken to prevent this. Most species of rats live in nests comprised of an alpha male several females and the young rats. They can have twins which will take it to a maximum of 14. When they are born rats have no fur and they are also blind.

The litters are usually spaced at intervals of 60 to 65 days. The life cycle of a rat. Unlike brown rats roof rats create their nests in high places like attics. From birth to adult rats take about three weeks to mature and begin fending for themselves.

Once inside roof rats not only damage materials by gnawing through them but they also contaminate stored food and serve as vectors of dangerous diseases. Similarly the mating of roof rats with domestic rats causes unhealthy breeding and the babies are unlikely to survive. The gestation period is about 25 days and litters normally range from 4 to 10 young and average about 6.